Slackistan review

Pakistan's answer to the cast of Hollyoaks...

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A dramatised look at Islamabad’s rich, idle hipsters, Hammad Khan’s low-budget debut is a laudable but laboured twist on slackerdom.

Latently political, Khan’s on-the-fly filming documents a vibrant, modern side of Pakistan in lockstep with western pop culture, yet ignored by scaremongering media. Trouble is, noble intentions aren’t matched by execution.

Following Hasan (Shahbaz Shigri), Khan avoids Taliban stereotypes only to emphasise commonality through dreary teen soap.

Ultimately, the flat visuals and low-intensity angst make Islamabad feel a lot like Hollyoaks.

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